Experts examining a sheet of paper covered in doodles, believed to belong to British PM Tony Blair. They concluded that he was "struggling to concentrate", "not a natural leader" and "stressed and tense". There's only one problem...
Monday, January 31, 2005
Thursday, January 27, 2005
In the news: Can a single death make a difference?
"...the latest in a series of steps to stop violence that have brought rare praise from Israeli PM Ariel Sharon."
Palestinian Authority Issues Weapons Ban
Palestinian Authority Issues Weapons Ban
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Poetry: The Interest
The Interest
A glimpse, a spark, a moment, nothing more
A gentle breeze I’d never felt before
She brushes by, I catch just half a face
A smile, an energy; what, I cannot place
My thoughts returning then to just before
But something there imprinted on my door
Nothing more than that, she’s in my mind
No name, no background, yet my thoughts rewind
And later, though engaged in life again
I see her face replayed my mind within
Soon I look for her whenever walking
And she is seen, always engaged and talking
Not long before my eyes move from her face
To take in more, her boyish gait, her grace
Something stirring deep within my soul
A yearning, out of nowhere, needs to know
What is it there about her that I find
So presently encompassing my mind?
And so I speak of her to trusted friends
I only need her name and this might end
No one that I trust can place her name
I cannot ask around, for there is shame
So I begin to fear, no one can tell
And just as I despair, I hear “Mireille”.
A name that must mean flowers, moist with rain
Fills my ears and mouth like quiet singing
A name, unique and singular as she
And that is when I know that I must see
Soon, of course, it happens that we meet
And shaking, I extend my hand to greet
“Hi, I’m Mireille”, says she, so quickly by
“I’m Jim”, I choke. I’d never seen the eyes…
I’m fully known before them, swimming, reeling
Such deep, dark pools of unrestricted feeling
They sing of pain, ‘the curses of her mind’
Though seeing, they expect the world is blind
What passes in an instant through my heart
While not exactly fear, provokes a start
And though I force my eyes to meet her’s, braving
I’m now afraid of what my own are saying…
- JT
A glimpse, a spark, a moment, nothing more
A gentle breeze I’d never felt before
She brushes by, I catch just half a face
A smile, an energy; what, I cannot place
My thoughts returning then to just before
But something there imprinted on my door
Nothing more than that, she’s in my mind
No name, no background, yet my thoughts rewind
And later, though engaged in life again
I see her face replayed my mind within
Soon I look for her whenever walking
And she is seen, always engaged and talking
Not long before my eyes move from her face
To take in more, her boyish gait, her grace
Something stirring deep within my soul
A yearning, out of nowhere, needs to know
What is it there about her that I find
So presently encompassing my mind?
And so I speak of her to trusted friends
I only need her name and this might end
No one that I trust can place her name
I cannot ask around, for there is shame
So I begin to fear, no one can tell
And just as I despair, I hear “Mireille”.
A name that must mean flowers, moist with rain
Fills my ears and mouth like quiet singing
A name, unique and singular as she
And that is when I know that I must see
Soon, of course, it happens that we meet
And shaking, I extend my hand to greet
“Hi, I’m Mireille”, says she, so quickly by
“I’m Jim”, I choke. I’d never seen the eyes…
I’m fully known before them, swimming, reeling
Such deep, dark pools of unrestricted feeling
They sing of pain, ‘the curses of her mind’
Though seeing, they expect the world is blind
What passes in an instant through my heart
While not exactly fear, provokes a start
And though I force my eyes to meet her’s, braving
I’m now afraid of what my own are saying…
- JT
And the master said:
"Human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and can't really get rid of it."
C. S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis
Monday, January 24, 2005
And the master said:
"I believe in God like I believe in the sun rise. Not because I can see it, but because I can see all that it touches."
C. S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Homage: ARMOR GEDDON
A new addition to the "Those judged worthy" section along the right, this one deserves special attention.
Check it out!
ARMOR GEDDON
Check it out!
ARMOR GEDDON
In the news: Can a single death change things?
Renewed hope.
"In the past five days, Abbas has met repeatedly with representatives of the three key militant groups - Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, which has ties to his Fatah movement. Abbas also held talks with smaller factions that are expected to fall in line if the larger three agree to a truce."
Militant groups ready for cease fire.
"In the past five days, Abbas has met repeatedly with representatives of the three key militant groups - Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, which has ties to his Fatah movement. Abbas also held talks with smaller factions that are expected to fall in line if the larger three agree to a truce."
Militant groups ready for cease fire.
And the master said:
"If there is equality it is in His love, not in us."
C. S. Lewis -- Transposition and Other Addresses
C. S. Lewis -- Transposition and Other Addresses
Friday, January 21, 2005
Poetry: The Martyr
The Martyr
And so she waits.
Her nostrils flare as brown eyes narrow and lock upon the Thing.
The chatters of the night a cacophony of thunderous sound to her and yet
wholly unnoticed to itself as it sings along its life of gentle noises.
Each movement of the Thing is discriminated evenly and coolly in her mind
and separated from the backdrop of the night so that when the time comes
no distraction exists.
The Thing will give her new life.
It's heart will pump it's own blood out upon the ground as she holds it firmly in her jaws.
And she will take because she must.
And so she tightens.
Every muscle becomes a trembling rock.
Her head drops low, her vision clear and locked, her ears begin to hear
only the rushing of her own blood being squeezed into her brain by the
Tightening of her limbs and stomach and back.
The night is gone. There is only the Thing. Naked and alone.
Not waiting. Just steaming moonlit breath into the night.
She fills her lungs one last time; her vision reddening the breath of the profiled Thing in her eyes.
Her back arching high and so alive, her nerves become like needles,
and her mouth drops slightly open to form an almost mirthful smile.
She will take because she must.
But she will feel the feeling again tonight because she can.
And so she springs.
No sound. No violence.
Beautiful surges of power unleashed freely, even carelessly,
for the thinking is behind her.
Reduced to pure, efficient Act, the deed is art.
The Thing looks lazily over as it detects the growing, silent blur.
It's last breath is not a large one; a quickly taken, startled thing
that even holds the smell of the onrushing cat.
The impact is a deceptively gentle exchange of power
that tumbles them together among the ferns like playful lovers.
In the instant before the jaws closed, it might even have been a game.
The Thing will live for a few minutes more but will not breath again.
It's life will ebb in silence.
And the last things it knows are the warmth of it's own blood
and the sound of the gentle breathing of the cat in the blind, and
now completely silent, night…
as she waits.
No emotion lives here.
But the coldness of the narrow eyes affords the death a certain dignity
that it could not have had with the most sincere pity or kindness.
A space is filled.
A life is lived.
A cat walks lazily along to find a comfortable place to sleep.
-jt
And so she waits.
Her nostrils flare as brown eyes narrow and lock upon the Thing.
The chatters of the night a cacophony of thunderous sound to her and yet
wholly unnoticed to itself as it sings along its life of gentle noises.
Each movement of the Thing is discriminated evenly and coolly in her mind
and separated from the backdrop of the night so that when the time comes
no distraction exists.
The Thing will give her new life.
It's heart will pump it's own blood out upon the ground as she holds it firmly in her jaws.
And she will take because she must.
And so she tightens.
Every muscle becomes a trembling rock.
Her head drops low, her vision clear and locked, her ears begin to hear
only the rushing of her own blood being squeezed into her brain by the
Tightening of her limbs and stomach and back.
The night is gone. There is only the Thing. Naked and alone.
Not waiting. Just steaming moonlit breath into the night.
She fills her lungs one last time; her vision reddening the breath of the profiled Thing in her eyes.
Her back arching high and so alive, her nerves become like needles,
and her mouth drops slightly open to form an almost mirthful smile.
She will take because she must.
But she will feel the feeling again tonight because she can.
And so she springs.
No sound. No violence.
Beautiful surges of power unleashed freely, even carelessly,
for the thinking is behind her.
Reduced to pure, efficient Act, the deed is art.
The Thing looks lazily over as it detects the growing, silent blur.
It's last breath is not a large one; a quickly taken, startled thing
that even holds the smell of the onrushing cat.
The impact is a deceptively gentle exchange of power
that tumbles them together among the ferns like playful lovers.
In the instant before the jaws closed, it might even have been a game.
The Thing will live for a few minutes more but will not breath again.
It's life will ebb in silence.
And the last things it knows are the warmth of it's own blood
and the sound of the gentle breathing of the cat in the blind, and
now completely silent, night…
as she waits.
No emotion lives here.
But the coldness of the narrow eyes affords the death a certain dignity
that it could not have had with the most sincere pity or kindness.
A space is filled.
A life is lived.
A cat walks lazily along to find a comfortable place to sleep.
-jt
For the record: NASA discovers Free Thinker Slaves!
NASA has discovered Free Thinker Slaves! Check out the entry at 01/10/2005 15:35:35:
blogs on http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/ice_berg_ram.html
blogs on http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/ice_berg_ram.html
Just plain funny: the new JibJab.com is up
Famous for fairness in their cruelty:
JibJab.com
So...while it's downloading (it'll be a while), read some other blog posts here! ;-)
JibJab.com
So...while it's downloading (it'll be a while), read some other blog posts here! ;-)
In the news: Scientists find "master switch" to cancer
Scientists claim to have found a single gene which aggrevates other cancer-causing genes to form tumors.
Scientists identify single master gene associated with cancer
Pray for scientists.
Scientists identify single master gene associated with cancer
Pray for scientists.
In the news: At last!
At last! A conservative acting as much like a capitalist as Michael Moore!
A Conservative Answer to Michael Moore - January 21, 2005 - The New York Sun
A Conservative Answer to Michael Moore - January 21, 2005 - The New York Sun
And the master said:
"Mercy, detached from Justice, grows unmerciful."
C. S. Lewis -- The Humanitarian Theory of Punishment
C. S. Lewis -- The Humanitarian Theory of Punishment
Monday, January 17, 2005
Happy MLK Day!
Martin Luther King was not a perfect man. His words and works have been both unfairly heralded and unfairly corrupted. And, I don't know whether he practiced what he preached (or even whether he wrote everything that he preached), but I will say this:
At that time, he was right. Blacks were unfairly persecuted throughout the United States. He fought for change to real injustice and did so in a nonviolent way. And whatever you might say about him, that was a very courageous thing to do.
At that time, he was right. Blacks were unfairly persecuted throughout the United States. He fought for change to real injustice and did so in a nonviolent way. And whatever you might say about him, that was a very courageous thing to do.
Oops: Thought Police arrest Harvard President
Either this man is extremely courageous for bringing for "saying things" against the PC Thought Police or he's extremely stupid.
One of these possibilities speaks well of Harvard.
local6.com - Education - Women Lack 'Natural Ability' In Some Fields, Harvard President Says
I'm sure Jesse Jackson will dive in immediately to protect his freedom of speech.
One of these possibilities speaks well of Harvard.
local6.com - Education - Women Lack 'Natural Ability' In Some Fields, Harvard President Says
I'm sure Jesse Jackson will dive in immediately to protect his freedom of speech.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
And the master said:
'All men alike stand condemned, not by alien codes of ethics, but by their own, and all men therefore are conscious of guilt.'
C. S. Lewis -- The Problem of Pain"
C. S. Lewis -- The Problem of Pain"
Friday, January 14, 2005
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
In the news: Time to take the mobile back
British scientific study links mobile phones to ear and brain tumors in small children.
Tomour Risk - Times
Tomour Risk - Times
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Which Way?
"In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it."
-- Lao Tzu
-- Lao Tzu
Monday, January 10, 2005
In the news: The "news"
"The interests of Rather and Mapes in pursuing a story about President Bush's TexANG service date back to at least 1999. At that time, and again during the presidential election of 2000, they investigated allegations that then-Texas Governor Bush had received preferential treatment in getting into the TexANG in 1968...
...
"They did little further investigating on this matter until 2004..."
...
"The panel is aware that some have ascribed political motivations to 60 Minutes Wednesday's decision to air the September 8 Segment just two months before the presidential election, while others found political bias in the program itself. The Panel reviewed this issue and found certain actions that could support such charges. However, the Panel cannot conclude that a political agenda at 60 minutes Wednesday drove either the timing of the airing of the Segment or its content."
CBS News CBS Ousts 4 For Bush Guard Story January 10, 2005
...
"They did little further investigating on this matter until 2004..."
...
"The panel is aware that some have ascribed political motivations to 60 Minutes Wednesday's decision to air the September 8 Segment just two months before the presidential election, while others found political bias in the program itself. The Panel reviewed this issue and found certain actions that could support such charges. However, the Panel cannot conclude that a political agenda at 60 minutes Wednesday drove either the timing of the airing of the Segment or its content."
CBS News CBS Ousts 4 For Bush Guard Story January 10, 2005
And the Master said:
"You are my friends, and the greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them."
-- Jesus
The Passion of The Christ
-- Jesus
The Passion of The Christ
Which Way?
"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."
-- Confucius
-- Confucius
Just plain cool: Iceberg!
An event so large that the best seat is in space!
NASA - Get Ready for the Largest Demolition Derby on the Planet
Scientists say Slow-Motion Collision Near Antarctic Research Station Imminent
NASA - Get Ready for the Largest Demolition Derby on the Planet
Scientists say Slow-Motion Collision Near Antarctic Research Station Imminent
And the master said:
"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
C. S. Lewis -- The Problem of Pain
C. S. Lewis -- The Problem of Pain
Sunday, January 09, 2005
And the master said:
"Whenever you find a man who says he doesn't believe in a real Right and Wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later."
C. S. Lewis -- The Case for Christianity
C. S. Lewis -- The Case for Christianity
Thursday, January 06, 2005
And the master said:
"Of all bad men religious bad men are the worst."
C. S. Lewis -- Reflections on the Psalms
C. S. Lewis -- Reflections on the Psalms
Just plain cool: Solar System Simulator
See the solar system in simulation - look any place from anywhere at any time.
NASA - JPL Solar System Simulator
NASA - JPL Solar System Simulator
In the news: Landing on Titan
Unbelievable. We're landing a spacecraft on a moon of Saturn. Titan is larger than Mercury and only a little smaller than Mars. It has an atmosphere.
ESA - Cassini-Huygens - Huygens begins its final journey into the unknown
ESA - Cassini-Huygens - Huygens begins its final journey into the unknown
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
In the news: One year on Mars
Hard to believe we've had two active probes on Mars for a year now. Although they were only supposed to last about three months, the probes are going strong. No one really knows why. As limited in success as in failure are we.
NASA - NASA Rovers' Adventures on Mars Continue
NASA - NASA Rovers' Adventures on Mars Continue
And the master said:
"No doubt those who really founded modern science were usually those whose love of truth exceeded their love of power."
C. S. Lewis -- The Abolition of Man
C. S. Lewis -- The Abolition of Man
Monday, January 03, 2005
And the master said:
"Really, a young Atheist cannot guard his faith too carefully. Dangers lie in wait for him on every side."
--C. S. Lewis, in Surprised by Joy
--C. S. Lewis, in Surprised by Joy
Thought number five.
"Understand impermanence."
The Buddhist idea of 'impermanence' is that we should all try to fully realize the truth that nothing remains the same even for two consecutive moments. We, everyone around us, everything created by man and everything we see, are all temporary.
It sounds like (and is) a simple concept, but the real point isn't the fact, but really grasping it - feeling it - knowing it - appreciating it - and allowing it to affect our actions and decisions. By contemplating impermanence, we are meant to learn to value the 'here and now' more clearly and acutely, and to better and more-deeply understand reality.
One obviously doesn't need to be a Buddhist to appreciate the value of this idea, so here are some quotes and thoughts that have helped me try to get there:
"O pilgrim look and look well, for I was once as you are and someday you will be as I am."
- inscribed on a skull in a Russian monastery
"We can never bathe twice in the same river."
- Heraclites
"Without impermanence, life is not possible. Without impermanence, how can our daughter grow up to be a beautiful young lady? ... If you look deeply into impermanence, you will do your best to make her happy right now. Aware of impermanence, you become positive, loving and wise. Impermanence is good news. Impermanence is an instrument for our liberation."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
"If you suffer, it is not because things are impermanent, but because you believe things are permanent."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
The Buddhist idea of 'impermanence' is that we should all try to fully realize the truth that nothing remains the same even for two consecutive moments. We, everyone around us, everything created by man and everything we see, are all temporary.
It sounds like (and is) a simple concept, but the real point isn't the fact, but really grasping it - feeling it - knowing it - appreciating it - and allowing it to affect our actions and decisions. By contemplating impermanence, we are meant to learn to value the 'here and now' more clearly and acutely, and to better and more-deeply understand reality.
One obviously doesn't need to be a Buddhist to appreciate the value of this idea, so here are some quotes and thoughts that have helped me try to get there:
"O pilgrim look and look well, for I was once as you are and someday you will be as I am."
- inscribed on a skull in a Russian monastery
"We can never bathe twice in the same river."
- Heraclites
"Without impermanence, life is not possible. Without impermanence, how can our daughter grow up to be a beautiful young lady? ... If you look deeply into impermanence, you will do your best to make her happy right now. Aware of impermanence, you become positive, loving and wise. Impermanence is good news. Impermanence is an instrument for our liberation."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
"If you suffer, it is not because things are impermanent, but because you believe things are permanent."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
In the news: CBS News' new promise
The president of CBS News is on a fence-mending mission to the White House, promising to be "fair and balanced"!
CBS News President mending fences
"[CBS News President Andrew] Heyward was working overtime to convince [White House Communications Director Dan ]Bartlett that neither CBS News nor Rather had a vendetta against the White House, our source says, and from here on out would do everything it could to be fair and balanced. CBS declined to comment."
- from the article
Hat tip - Drudge
CBS News President mending fences
"[CBS News President Andrew] Heyward was working overtime to convince [White House Communications Director Dan ]Bartlett that neither CBS News nor Rather had a vendetta against the White House, our source says, and from here on out would do everything it could to be fair and balanced. CBS declined to comment."
- from the article
Hat tip - Drudge
Sunday, January 02, 2005
In the news: The strange story of Anthony Flew
An interesting article came out a while back about a famous atheist who has decided he now believes in God. The atheist in question is Anthony Flew. He is in his 80's. Here is a copy of the article:
Famous Atheist Now Believes in God
Anthony has been a prolific writer for some time on the subject of atheism. For an example of Anthony's earlier work, see this essay he penned several years ago on Islam.
Antony Flew describes 'The Terrors of Islam'
Not sure what to make of this, honestly. One disturbing fact is that shortly after announcing his new beliefs he indicated he would be elaborating on them in an upcoming book. $cha-ching!
Famous Atheist Now Believes in God
Anthony has been a prolific writer for some time on the subject of atheism. For an example of Anthony's earlier work, see this essay he penned several years ago on Islam.
Antony Flew describes 'The Terrors of Islam'
Not sure what to make of this, honestly. One disturbing fact is that shortly after announcing his new beliefs he indicated he would be elaborating on them in an upcoming book. $cha-ching!
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
